Michael Misa Prospect Write Up

6'1" • 185 lbs • Center, 

Saginaw Spirit

I’ve been glued to OHL games this season, and Michael Misa, the Saginaw Spirit’s standout center, keeps stealing the show. At 6’1” with a frame that’s still filling out, this 17-year-old is torching the league and cementing himself as a top contender for the 2025 NHL Draft.

Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images

Why He’s on My Radar

Misa grabbed my attention when he earned exceptional status in April 2022—a rare honor that puts him in the same stratosphere as Tavares and McDavid. Even after a broken tibia sidelined him for six weeks, he finished his rookie season with 56 points (22 goals, 34 assists) in 45 games—1.24 points per game. That’s insane for a 15-year-old.

Photo Credit :Steven Frank/Saginaw Spirit

Last season, in the 2023-24 Memorial Cup against Drummondville, Saginaw trailed 3-1 in the third. Misa flipped the script—three assists, including a no-look beauty to tie it, sparking a 4-3 comeback win. He closed with 75 points (29 goals, 46 assists) in 67 games. This year, 2024-25, he’s rewriting the record books. As of February 28, 2025, he’s racked up 54 goals and 108 points in 55 games—a 1.96 points-per-game pace that could reach 67 goals and 134 points over 68 games.

Photo credit: Eric Young

What Stands Out

Misa’s scoring is unreal. With 54 goals, I’d estimate he’s taken around 200 shots (based on OHL trends), giving him a shooting percentage north of 25%—well above the league’s 15% average for forwards. But he’s not just a triggerman. His 54 assists (0.98 per game) highlight his playmaking vision. At 6’1”, he’s not imposing yet, but he’s feisty—winning 54.4% of his faceoffs (386-for-710), a top mark for his age. Add in four shorthanded goals, tied for the OHL lead, and you see his speed and elusiveness. He’s not a stationary shooter; he’s dynamic, built for the next level. He is one of those players that really sees the game ahead of almost everyone on the ice, his team and the opposition. His work away from the puck is just as important than him with the puck. He often forsees the play about to happen and positions himself in passing lanes or exit opportunities. If his team has the puck he knows how to drift into soft spots on the ice and get open. His shot isn't overly dynamic, but 50+ goals is rarified air, he's got what it takes to be a goal scorer at the next level, and even if his skating somehow stayed the same without NHL level skill coaches, he would be fine right now if he was drafted today.

Photo Credit : Michael Miller/ISI Photos Getty

Thriving Despite the Odds

What’s even more impressive? Misa’s putting up these numbers with a Saginaw squad that’s far from stacked. The Spirit have talent, but they’re not a powerhouse loaded with high-end linemates to inflate his stats. His teammates—like Ethan Hay or Zayne Parekh—are solid, but Misa’s often the one driving the play, creating chances out of thin air. Against tougher teams like London or Windsor, he’s faced heavy checking and still delivered, racking up points while dragging average linemates into the spotlight. His ability to overachieve with a middling supporting cast screams superstar potential—imagine what he’ll do with NHL-caliber wingers.

How He Compares to Tavares

Misa’s stats keep drawing me back to Tavares. At 17, Misa’s 1.96 PPG is jaw-dropping—on pace for 134 points over 68 games. Tavares posted 77 points (45 goals, 32 assists) in 65 games (1.18 PPG) at 15 in 2005-06, then 104 points (58 goals, 46 assists) in 56 games (1.86 PPG) at 18 in 2008-09.

When’s He NHL-Ready?  

Misa’s close—2025-26 if stars align, 2026-27 at the latest. He turns 18 in February 2025, so post-draft, he could dominate one more OHL year to bulk up—maybe 80-90 points as an overager. But his game screams “pro-ready.” That 1.96 PPG is elite, and his two-way chops—shorthanded goals, faceoff prowess—prove he’s not just a one-trick pony. If a team like San Jose or Anaheim snags him first overall, I’d wager he’s in the lineup fall 2025 at 18—think 20-25 goals, 50-60 points with 15-17 minutes a night. Tavares debuted at 19 with 54 points; On a deeper roster, a half-season in the AHL in 2025-26 might happen, but I’m betting he jumps straight in.

What He Could Become

Misa’s got the tools to be a star—goal-scoring, playmaking, and clutch DNA. Pair him with someone like Celebrini in San Jose, and I see 30-35 goals, 80+ points in his prime. I think if he finishes strong, he could be number 1 overall this year!